NMDPRA backs gradual fuel standards alignment across Africa

By Ambrose Nnaji

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has called for a phased and pragmatic approach to fuel specification harmonisation across Africa, warning that rigid, uniform timelines could undermine market stability.

Speaking at the African Refiners and Distributors Association Week 2026 in Cape Town, the Authority’s Chief Executive, Saidu Mohammed, said that while harmonisation remains a critical continental objective, structural differences among African markets make a “one-size-fits-all” model unrealistic.

Addressing a panel session on policy pathways for harmonisation, Mohammed stressed the need for a flexible framework that allows countries to align fuel standards at a pace suited to their regulatory capacity, infrastructure readiness, and refining capabilities.

He noted that a step-by-step transition would help avoid supply disruptions and limit additional cost burdens on consumers, particularly in price-sensitive economies.

“Harmonisation must be pragmatic and context-driven. We must align ambition with execution realities,” he said.

Highlighting Nigeria’s approach, Mohammed said the NMDPRA is advancing tighter fuel quality standards while maintaining supply security and market efficiency. He added that regulation in emerging markets must carefully balance environmental goals with affordability and energy access.

He identified critical success factors for harmonisation to include stronger collaboration among regulators, clear and consistent policy frameworks, sustained investment in refining and distribution infrastructure, and realistic implementation timelines.

According to him, better alignment of fuel specifications across the continent would reduce market distortions, curb cross-border arbitrage, and boost intra-African petroleum trade, while supporting a gradual transition to cleaner fuels.

Mohammed also pointed to increasing refining capacity in Africa—particularly in Nigeria—as a key enabler for reducing dependence on imports and accelerating standardisation efforts.

The African Refiners and Distributors Association Week 2026, which marks two decades of regional downstream coordination, brought together regulators, policymakers, and industry stakeholders to explore strategies for building a more integrated and resilient energy market.

L–R:
Farid Ghezali, Secretary General of the African Petroleum Producers Organization; Marie-Josephine Sidibé, President of the African Refiners and Distributors Association; and Saidu Mohammed, Authority Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, during proceedings at ARDA Week 2026, in Cape Town, South Africa.